How To Choose a Pest Control Company
There are a number of factors you can weigh when selecting the right pest control company for you. Factors you might consider include qualifications and licensing, treatment methods, years of experience, customer reviews, and cost.
Below, we dive into detail on each of these factors.
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Does the company have a valid license and permits to perform pest control?
All pesticide applicators (and those who supervise them) must be certified at the state level. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established minimum standards of competency, but all pesticide applicators working in the state of Arizona must be licensed via the necessary state regulatory agencies.
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Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
Pest control companies can optionally obtain additional certifications like the GreenPro Service Certification. This certification is granted once a company has proven that its treatment methods are more environmentally friendly and demonstrated that it also maintains certain other standards, such as up-to-date employee training. A company can also earn other certifications from trade organizations like QualityPro to further verify its practices and methods.
Pest control companies can also belong to certain professional organizations. Becoming a member of an organization like the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) or a state-level organization gives companies access to education and resources, in addition to a network of professionals with whom to compare best practices. Membership in organizations like these is not required, but it can help show that a company follows industry best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
Looking at a company's website can tell you how many years it has been in business and what kind of pests it specializes in exterminating. Online reviews can also provide some insight into a company's experience dealing with a certain type of pest. If you can't find this information online, you can try contacting the company directly.
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Reviews and Recommendations
You can check a company's reputation using the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and local review sites or social media. You can also check with Arizona's licensing board to verify the status of a company's license.
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Cost of Services and Guarantees
It's important to think about cost when hiring a pest control company. Cost can be affected influenced by your location, the size of your house, the type of pest being treated, and other factors.
Companies will often offer free on-site estimates as part of their process, to help you decide whether it fits into your budget. You can also ask whether a provider offers a satisfaction guarantee, meaning that if your pest problem is not solved by the initial treatment, it will continue returning until it is.
Safety and Treatment Methods
Safety is an important consideration when selecting a pest control provider, and you might prefer a provider who employs more natural, environmentally-friendly methods.
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Safety
Be sure to ask your pest control technician if they plan to use low toxicity or non-toxic pesticides, and if not, what sort of precautionary measures they are going to use. Any pesticides that are not minimum-risk chemicals should be registered with the EPA. Your pest technician will be able to provide information about all pesticides that they plan to use.
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Treatment Methods
You can ask if your technician will begin with lower-toxicity, more natural options before employing harsher chemicals.
Many companies are using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to eliminate pests while reducing personal and environmental risks. The steps of IPM are as follows:
- Identify problem pests and assess whether immediate action is required.
- Decide on the safest course of action.
- Use a combination of mechanical, cultural, biological, and physical controls to manage the pest problem.
- Employ chemical controls only when absolutely necessary, and always with other techniques for effective long-term pest management.
- Evaluate outcomes and provide additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Chandler
Some pests are more common in Chandler, and these are the ones to keep an eye out for. Some of these include the following:
- Moths: If there is a moth infestation in your home, you may notice holes in your clothing or linens. Moths do best in warmer weather (which makes them a particular problem in Chandler) and enjoy dark places like closets.
- Cockroaches: It's important to deal with a cockroach infestation promptly, as they can carry diseases like salmonella. Cockroaches can be found throughout Arizona, and they prefer wetter areas.
- Snakes: Snakes prefer damp, cool, and dark places and will often enter a home looking for food. While most species of snakes are harmless, this is not a risk that you want your family or pets to take.
- Spiders: You may find spiders in your attic or other dark, damp places. Even though most species of spider are harmless to humans, you don't want a spider infestation in your house.
- Bed bugs: Bed bug infestations can be very difficult to quash, so we strongly recommend calling a local exterminator as soon as possible. Bed bugs can be found throughout Arizona, and can infest not only your bedsheets, but also other furniture and even your wallpaper.
- Mice: Telltale signs of mouse activity include chewed wires and droppings around your home. Frequently, mice can be found in attics or in places where food is stored.
Chandler Pest Control FAQ
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Pest infestations happen when pests come into your house looking for something, generally food, water, or shelter. Pests may be looking to eat food or trash that is left out. Some could also be drawn by standing water collecting outside (from rain collecting in a particular area) or inside (from leaky pipes). They may also come into your house looking for shelter and get in through weak spots like foundation cracks or broken screens.
There are several steps you can take to help prevent pest infestations. First, avoid leaving food out. Make sure food is stored in sealed containers, and avoid leaving trash sitting around.
Next, avoid having standing water in or around your home. Repair leaks inside and eliminate places where standing water collects outside. Lastly, seal off any potential pest entrances into your home, including foundation and siding cracks.
You should consider hiring a pest control professional any time you see signs of pests in your Chandler home. You might see nests, droppings, pest damage, or even the pests themselves. If you've had seasonal or recurrent pest infestations, we recommend yearly preventive pest management.
We recommend asking your pest control technician this question while they are at your house, as the answer will vary depending on the treatments used. After pesticides are applied, you might notice a lingering smell that should dissipate over time.
Typically, dusting, vacuuming, and wiping down certain surfaces are all appropriate after pest control. However, make sure to not wipe away chemical barriers, and avoid touching any traps unless explicitly told to do so. After the pest control process, continue to keep your home clean. Don't let garbage pile up, take care of spills and leaks promptly, and so on. This will help keep pests from coming back.
